I'd Rather Measure Life in Laughter

The week after rural home stat week just happened to be my birthday week. And as it goes with birthday weeks everything is just more exciting and special. Plus the birthday feel often lingers for a few days after the actual date. I will relay to you all the events related and unrelated to my birthday during that glorious week,
I received, via snail mail, a package from my grandmother that contained leaves!! Real fall leaves that had held onto their beautiful reds, yellows, oranges, and golds. They were a big hit with all the students who live in places where the change of colors happens. We even taped some up in the IMME study room! Thanks so much grandma! They are much appreciated.
On my birthday I received two phone calls from my grandparents who kept the singing of happy birthday over the phone tradition alive. They wished me Happy Birthday on the Ugandan birthday and on my American birthday! It was very fun. I also was able to talk to my parents and my sister, which was super wonderful as well. My brother had wished me a happy birthday via the computer two days prior because, to quote him, the chances of him “actually remembering to tell me on the actual day was about as good as the Vikings winning the super bowl.” Got to love a packers fan!
Kurty surprised me with real chai tea! I savored every sip! Thanks so much Jane for sending those out. It was a comforting experience of home. I can’t wait to drink some while being all bundled up looking out at snow! Mmmmmm!!!
I was treated to lunch and also received four pineapple pops and a bag of corn nuts! The Justin’s were responsible for those gifts! The IMME group also had brownies made for the occasion!
My birthday was a bit overshadowed by the fact that Mr. Barak Obama decided to go and get himself elected as president. You would have thought it was the second coming the way Africa celebrated! Kenya had a national holiday declared and every baby born that day was either named Barak Obama or Michelle Obama. It got a little exhausting to have that be the only topic of conversation from people who only know that the reason they like him is that he has connections to Africa and not because of any of his policies.
That night at home because I had gotten Elisha with water on his birthday (since that is the tradition among the youth) he came in after supper with a cup full, sang me happy birthday, and tossed it right in my face! I’m glad he’s not shy around me anymore ☺
On Friday that week we had a missionary dinner to go to. It was with an older couple who have been in Uganda four about 3 years now named Alan and Heather Hall. On our way we ran into a biker who flew out in front of us. Right before that I had been wondering how we were not witnessing any accidents because of how crazy the traffic is and then, smack, there goes the biker. He actually didn’t fall off or anything and he just kept biking away, but both Kurty and I were holding our breaths! Anyways, Alan was not a shy man and I think we only asked a couple questions because we shared most everything with us. His wife grew up in South Africa and her father was a Brit. They had been married for 4 years and were doing ministry in Uganda and living off of his social security check. He had a neat conversion story about how God spoke to him. He was an interesting man and before we left he anointed with oil from the Holy Land so we could go on and bless others. My favorite thing about the whole night was probably the pasta and incredible marinara, meat sauce! Yum yum yum!
On Saturday, Kurty and Justin Lane took me to Kampala to extend my birthday celebrations. They took me first to eat breakfast at a more American restaurant and I ate, scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, and a toasted bagel and butter! I also got to sample Justin’s banana pancakes! We played some cribbage while we waited and I won both games. I could have stopped there and been satisfied, but then we went to these fun craft shops and I loved looking around for fun Christmas gifts! After that we went to get ice cream and watch more of the Vikings game! The Vikings game didn’t actually play, but it was still great. Kurty and Justin did a great job surprising me with the different activities. Before we left Kurty and I bought a basketball so we wouldn’t have to always run around at school trying to find one. Good purchase!
On Saturday there was also a futbol match with that I played a bit in, which was fun and gave me great memories of playing in high school. The best part about it all was not that we had great orange jerseys, even though that was great, but that there was a goat roast after and they decided to kill the goat on the edge of the field…the man walked by me with machete in one hand and the goat in the other. After it’s last cries they strung it up between two poles and skinned it. Only in Africa.
On Sunday Kurty and I were able to download some sermons from our home church and listen to them. We missed it a lot and were like little kids in a candy store listening and taking notes. It has been frustrating for us with the church experiences we’ve had here. The sermons we listen to are not exactly challenging or engaging because most of the congregation can’t handle anything deeper. Christianity, especially in the cities, is just the thing to do on Sundays. It seems pretty shallow. There doesn’t seem to be much conviction past that during the week. I miss people who are passionate about Christ. It just feels spiritually dead most places I’ve been. My host father is a perfect example of that. I know God can speak to you in every situation, but it’s hard to listen to someone preach to you about how we need to love each other. Kurty and I were just craving something deeper.
I also received all of the birthday cards that people sent me. Thanks to Marilyn, Nancy, Great Gma Charlotte, Gma Jean and Gpa Milt, Gma Nancy and Gpa Thor, Annika, and Mom and Dad. Annika we play your card for people and surprise everyone with its contents every so often. It was a great choice on your part! I got all 8 cards in one day! Talk about exciting and everyone being jealous of me!
Update on No-Shave-November—I look like I have man legs ☺

My birthday week was wonderful and I thank everyone for wishing me a happy day of my birth!

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10